Air-conditioning apparatus using heat pipe

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an air-conditioning apparatus using a heat pipe. The state of the outside air is compared with the state of set supply air. The heat exchange and mixed supply of outside air and ventilation air are effectively performed by changing the passage of the ventilation air and the outside air through the selective opening/shutting of dampers, cooling the outside air through latent heat by spraying mist, and by controlling supply air in a set state through the cooling and humidification of the supply air. Accordingly, energy efficiency can be improved and the energy necessary for the air-conditioning apparatus can be reduced using the evaporation latent heat of water. Furthermore, operation costs can be reduced and financial gains can be obtained because an efficient operation can be performed in response to the state of a measured outside air.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of Korean Patent ApplicationNo. 10-2017-0017585 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office onFeb. 8, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an air-conditioning apparatus and, moreparticularly, to an air-conditioning apparatus using a heat pipe,wherein the state (e.g., temperature, humidity, wet-bulb temperature orenthalpy) of outside air with the set state (e.g., temperature orhumidity) of supply air, and the supply air is supplied in the set state(temperature, humidity) by controlling the supply air by changing theflow passage of ventilation air and outside air through the selectiveopening/shutting of dampers, cooling the outside air by latent heat byspraying mist, and cooling and humidifying the supply air.

In general, air-conditioning has an object of making people in a house,hotel, meeting hall, office, a computer center and a variety of types ofindustrial facilities in a comfortable state by maintaining comfortableindoor conditions, such as temperature, humidity, scent and air current,in a state suitable for intended purposes of the place. The state of theindoor air which is comfortable for people does not have a specificvalue because it is influenced by several conditions, such as theclimate, clothing, the standard of living and the health of the people.In order for the places, such as the workshop of a factory, a warehouse,a laboratory and a computer center, to sufficiently achieve theirintended functions, the indoor air must maintain a state most suitablefor things produced, processed, stored or tested in the places or avariety of types of apparatuses operating in corresponding places.

For example, air-conditioning is used so that quality of a product isuniform and defective products are not generated. For example, humidityis relatively set high in a cigarette factory so that tobacco leaves arenot cut into small pieces and overly dried into powder, the temperatureis set low in the chocolate factory so that chocolate does not melt tolose the original shape, dust is reduced to a minimum in a semiconductorfabrication factory, and the flow of air is made slow by considering theinfluence of air flow on living things in a physiological laboratory.

Korean Patent Nos. 10-1346747 and 10-1295312 disclose anair-conditioning apparatus using an indirect heat exchanger in whichsynthetic resin, paper or non-woven fabric are stacked.

In the conventional technology, outside air is directly supplied indoorsor the inside air is circulated and resupplied indoors again. In orderfor the air supplied indoors to have a set temperature, the temperatureof the air supplied indoors is controlled by indirectly heat-exchangingthe outside air and the inside air selectively.

However, in the conventional technology that uses an indirect heatexchanger in which synthetic resin, paper or non-woven fabric arestacked, the heat exchange efficiency is low because thermalconductivity is low, and energy consumption for heating or cooling airsupplied indoors is increased due to low heat exchange efficiency.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an air-conditioningapparatus using a heat pipe, which can obtain an additional coolingeffect using outside air as cooling energy by heat-exchanging theoutside air using a heat pipe and evaporating and cooling the outsideair through mist spray for the outside air upon performing the heatexchange of the heat pipe, reduce energy necessary for the operation ofthe air-conditioning apparatus by supplying the outside air as supplyair and discharging ventilation air in the (pre-cooling) condition inwhich the outside air can be directly used as the supply air, reduceenergy for the air-conditioning apparatus by improving energy efficiencyusing the evaporation latent heat of water through a structure in whichthe supply air selectively passes through a cooling coil or the humidityof the supply air can be controlled and the effective heat exchange andmixed supply of the outside air and the ventilation air, and can havefinancial gains by reducing operation costs because an efficientoperation can be performed in response to the state (e.g., temperature,humidity, and wet-bulb temperature) of the measured outside air.

An air-conditioning apparatus using a heat pipe according to an exampleof the present invention includes a ventilation block providing apassage through which ventilation air (RA) introduced from indoorsflows, an air exhaust block having one end connected to the ventilationblock and providing a passage through which exhaust air (EA) dischargedto the outside flows, an air supply block providing a passage throughwhich a supply air (SA) supplied indoors flows, an outside air blockhaving one end connected to the air supply block and providing a passagethrough which outside air (OA) introduced from the outside flows, afirst heat exchange block including a condensation unit of a heat pipe,connected to the outside air block and the air exhaust block, changingoutside air introduced through the outside air block into exhaust airthrough the heat pipe, and discharging the changed exhaust air to theair exhaust block, and a second heat exchange block including anevaporation unit of the heat pipe, connected to the ventilation blockand the air supply block, changing ventilation air introduced throughthe ventilation block into supply air through the heat pipe, anddischarging the changed supply air to the air supply block, wherein thesecond heat exchange block selectively discharges the ventilation airintroduced through the ventilation block directly to the air supplyblock, mixes the ventilation air and the outside air, changes the mixedventilation air and outside air into a supply air, and supplies thesupply air.

In this case, the air-conditioning apparatus using a heat pipe accordingto an example of the present invention may operate in any one of aventilation air operation mode in which only ventilation air isselectively changed into supply air depending on the state of outsideair or a state of ventilation air and supply air and the changed supplyair is supplied indoors, a mixed operation mode in which ventilation airand outside air are mixed, changed into supply air and supplied indoors,and a full outside air operation mode in which only outside air ischanged into supply air and supplied indoors.

Furthermore, the ventilation block according to an example of thepresent invention includes a first air damper disposed in a boundary ofthe ventilation block and the air exhaust block and selectively openedand shut to discharge ventilation air flowing into the ventilation blockto the air exhaust block and a second air damper disposed in theventilation block and selectively opened and shut to dischargeventilation air flowing into the ventilation block to the second heatexchange block.

Furthermore, the outside air block according to an example of thepresent invention includes a first air filter disposed in an outside airdamper disposed in an opening through which outside air is introduced toremove alien substances included in the outside air, a third air damperdisposed in the boundary line of the outside air block and the firstheat exchange block and selectively opened and shut to discharge outsideair flowing into the outside air block to the first heat exchange block,a fourth air damper disposed in the boundary line of the outside airblock and the air supply block and selectively opened and shut todischarge outside air flowing into the outside air block to the airsupply block, a second air filter disposed in the fourth air damper toremove alien substances included in the outside air passing through thefourth air damper, a first temperature/humidity sensor disposed in anopening through which outside air is introduced from the outside tomeasure a temperature and humidity of the outside air introduced throughthe opening from the outside, and a first temperature sensor disposedclose to the third air damper to measure a temperature of the outsideair after the outside air passes through the third air damper.

Furthermore, the air supply block according to an example of the presentinvention includes a first air volume measurement sensor disposed withinthe air supply block to measure an air volume within the air supplyblock, first ventilation unit disposed within the air supply block toselectively control the air volume of a supply air, a secondtemperature/humidity sensor disposed within the air supply block tomeasure a temperature and humidity of the supply air through the firstventilation unit, and a second temperature sensor disposed at the backof the first ventilation unit to measure a temperature of a heat pipeexit.

In this case, the air-conditioning apparatus according to an example ofthe present invention further includes a humidifier disposed at thefront of the first ventilation unit of the air supply block toselectively humidify supply air flowing into the air supply blockdepending on a setting state so that the supply air is humidified.

Moreover, the air exhaust block according to an example of the presentinvention includes a second air volume measurement sensor disposedwithin the air exhaust block to measure an air volume within the airexhaust block, second ventilation unit disposed within the air exhaustblock to selectively control the air volume of exhaust air, and a thirdtemperature/humidity sensor disposed within the air exhaust block tomeasure a temperature and humidity of the exhaust air through the secondventilation unit.

Furthermore, the air-conditioning apparatus according to an example ofthe present invention further includes a third temperature sensordisposed in the condensation unit of the heat pipe of the first heatexchange block to measure a temperature of outside air through the heatpipe and a mist spray nozzle disposed at the front of the first heatexchange block connected to the outside air block to selectively spraymist to outside air through the outside air block depending on a settemperature.

Furthermore, the second heat exchange block according to an example ofthe present invention includes a fourth temperature sensor disposed inthe evaporation unit of the heat pipe within the second heat exchangeblock to measure a temperature of ventilation air before the ventilationair passes through the heat pipe, a cooling coil disposed at the back ofthe evaporation unit of the heat pipe within the second heat exchangeblock to selectively cool ventilation air through the heat pipe, and athird air filter disposed at the front of the evaporation unit of theheat pipe to filter alien substances included in an air passing throughthe heat pipe.

An air-conditioning apparatus using a heat pipe according to anotherexample of the present invention includes an air supply block providinga passage through which supply air (SA) supplied indoors flows,ventilation block disposed on left and right sides of the air supplyblock, respectively, with the air supply block disposed at a center, andproviding a passage through which ventilation air (RA) introduced fromindoors flows, an air exhaust block disposed on one side of theventilation block and providing a passage through which exhaust air (EA)discharged to the outside flows, an outside air block disposed on a sideopposite the air supply block and providing a passage through whichoutside air (OA) introduced from the outside flows, a first heatexchange block including a condensation unit of a heat pipe, connectedto the outside air block and the air exhaust block, changing outside airintroduced through the outside air block into an exhaust through theheat pipe, and discharging the changed exhaust air to the air exhaustblock, and a second heat exchange block including an evaporation unit ofthe heat pipe, connected to the ventilation block and the air supplyblock, changing ventilation air introduced through the ventilation blockinto supply air through the heat pipe, and discharging the changedsupply air to the air supply block, wherein the second heat exchangeblock selectively discharges the ventilation air introduced through theventilation block directly to the air supply block, mixes theventilation air and the outside air, changes the mixed ventilation airand outside air into supply air, and supplies the supply air.

In this case, the air-conditioning apparatus using a heat pipe accordingto another example of the present invention may also operate in any oneof a ventilation air operation mode in which only ventilation air isselectively changed into a supply air depending on the state of outsideair or a state of ventilation air and supply air and the changed supplyair is supplied indoors, a mixed operation mode in which ventilation airand outside air are mixed, changed into supply air and supplied indoors,and a full outside air operation mode in which only outside air ischanged into supply air and supplied indoors.

Furthermore, the ventilation block according to another example of thepresent invention includes a first air damper disposed in the boundaryline of the ventilation block and the air exhaust block and selectivelyopened and shut to discharge ventilation air flowing into theventilation block to the air exhaust block, a second air damper disposedin the ventilation block and selectively opened and shut to dischargethe ventilation air flowing into the ventilation block to the secondheat exchange block, a first air volume measurement sensor disposedwithin the ventilation block to measure an air volume within theventilation block, and first ventilation unit disposed within theventilation block to selectively control an air volume within theventilation block.

Furthermore, the outside air block according to another example of thepresent invention includes a first air filter disposed in an outside airdamper disposed in an opening through which outside air is introduced toremove an alien substance included in the outside air, secondventilation unit disposed within the outside air block to selectivelycontrol the air volume of exhaust air, a fourth air damper disposed inthe boundary line of the outside air block and the air supply block andselectively opened and shut to discharge outside air flowing into theoutside air block to the air supply block, a second air filter disposedin the fourth air damper to remove an alien substance included in theoutside air through the fourth air damper, and a firsttemperature/humidity sensor disposed in an opening through which outsideair is introduced from the outside to measure a temperature and humidityof the outside air introduced through the opening from the outside.

Furthermore, the first heat exchange block according to another exampleof the present invention includes a third air damper disposed in theboundary line of the outside air block and the first heat exchange blockand selectively opened and shut to discharge outside air flowing intothe outside air block to the first heat exchange block and a firsttemperature sensor disposed close to the third air damper to measure atemperature of outside air after the outside air passes through thethird air damper.

Moreover, the second heat exchange block according to another example ofthe present invention includes a third air filter disposed at the frontof the evaporation unit of the heat pipe to filter an alien substanceincluded in air passing through the heat pipe, a cooling coil disposedat the back of the evaporation unit of the heat pipe to selectively coolventilation air through the heat pipe, and a humidifier disposed at theback of the cooling coil to selectively humidify air drained to the airsupply block depending on a setting state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram of a cross-sectional view of anair-conditioning apparatus using a heat pipe according to an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary diagram showing the state in whichair-conditioning is controlled by the circulation of ventilation air(RA) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary diagram showing the state in whichair-conditioning is controlled by the mixing of outside air OA withventilation air RA according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary diagram showing the state in whichair-conditioning is controlled by outside air OA according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an air-conditioning apparatus using aheat pipe according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary diagram showing a flow of air-conditioning in aheat pipe (heat exchange) operation mode according to another embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary diagram showing a flow of air-conditioning in afull outside air operation mode according to another embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary diagram showing a flow of air-conditioning in amixing operation mode according to another embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention are described indetail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Terms or wordsused in the specification and claims should be construed as havingmeanings and concepts that comply with the technological spirit of thepresent invention based on the principle that an inventor mayappropriately define the concept of a term in order to describe his orher invention in the best manner.

Accordingly, configurations described in the embodiments of thisspecification and shown in the drawings are exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention and represent the technological spirit of the presentinvention. Accordingly, it would be understood that a variety ofequivalents and modifications which may substitute the embodiments atthe time of filing of this application may be present.

First, a heat pipe includes a container in a pipe form, a wick (i.e., ametal wick structure) embedded in the container, and an operating fluid.The wick is a porous structure capable of generating a capillary force.

The inside of the heat pipe is sealed to maintain a vacuum state. Asealed operating fluid is easily evaporated in a low temperature. Whenheat is applied to the evaporation unit (one end) of the heat pipe, theoperating fluid has pressure higher than that in a condensation unit(the other end) because it absorbs surrounding heat and evaporates.Accordingly, the operating fluid moves to the condensation unit due to apressure difference between the evaporation unit and the condensationunit. The operating fluid in the condensation unit discharges heat tothe surroundings, condenses, and thus has low pressure. As a result, theoperating fluid moves to the evaporation unit again.

Accordingly, the heat pipe is divided into an evaporation unit (oneend), a condensation unit (the other end), and an insulation part (orintermediate part) between the evaporation unit and the condensationunit. The evaporation unit of the heat pipe absorbs heat from a heatsource, and performs a cooling function of absorbing heat from thesurroundings as the operating fluid evaporates into a gaseous state. Incontrast, the condensation unit performs a heating function ofdischarging heat as the operating fluid condenses.

Furthermore, the heat pipe is a heat exchanger in which a heating medium(i.e., operating fluid) can move due to a pressure difference betweenthe evaporation unit and the condensation unit in a phase changeprocess, such as the evaporation and condensation of the operating fluidand thus the absorption (or cooling) and discharge (or heating) processof heat are consecutively performed without a separate power source.

An embodiment of the present invention relates to an air-conditioningapparatus using a heat pipe, wherein the state (e.g., temperature orhumidity) of outside air with the set state (e.g., temperature orhumidity) of supply air, and the supply air is supplied in the set state(temperature, humidity) by controlling the supply air by changing theflow passage of ventilation air and outside air through the selectiveopening/shutting of dampers, cooling the outside air by latent heat byspraying mist, and cooling and humidifying the supply air. Theair-conditioning apparatus is described below with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, air-conditioning apparatus 10 using a heat pipeaccording to an embodiment of the present invention includes aventilation block 100, an outside air block 200, an air supply block300, an air exhaust block 400, a first heat exchange block 500, and asecond heat exchange block 600. In the present invention, one side andthe other side or the front and the back indicative of directions aredescribed based on the direction in which a fluid, i.e., air flow,moves. The direction in which a fluid is introduced is one side or thefront and the direction in which a fluid is drained (or discharged) isthe other side or the back.

First, the ventilation block 100 provides a passage through whichventilation air introduced from the inside of a structure to be cooled(not shown) flows from one side to the other side of the ventilationblock 100. One side of the ventilation block 100 is connected to thestructure in such a way as to communicate with the inside of thestructure so that the ventilation air is introduced into theair-conditioning apparatus 10 from inside of the structure, and theother side of the ventilation block 100 is connected to the first heatexchange block 500 and the second heat exchange block 600 in such a wayas to communicate with them so that the ventilation air is drained intothe first heat exchange block 500 and the second heat exchange block600.

The ventilation block 100 is equipped with a plurality of air dampersthat controls the flow of the ventilation air. A first air damper 120 isdisposed in an opening in a boundary or wall between the ventilationblock 100 and the air exhaust block 400, and enables the ventilationblock 100 and the air exhaust block 400 to communicate with each other.Ventilation air introduced from indoors to the ventilation block 100 isselectively drained into the ventilation block 100 and the air exhaustblock 400 directly by the selective opening and closing of the first airdamper 120.

Furthermore, a second air damper 130 is disposed in an opening in aboundary or wall between the ventilation block 100 and the second heatexchange block 600, and enables the ventilation block 100 and the secondheat exchange block 600 to communicate with each other. Ventilation airintroduced from indoors to the ventilation block 100 is selectivelydrained to the ventilation block 100 and the second heat exchange block600 by the selective opening and closing of the second air damper 130.

Furthermore, the outside air block 200 provides a passage through whichoutside air introduced from the outside through an outside air damper205 flows from one side to the other side of the outside air block 200.One side of the outside air block 200 is connected to the outside airdamper 205 in such a way as to communicate therewith so that the outsideair is introduced into the air-conditioning apparatus 10, and the otherside thereof is connected to the first heat exchange block 500 and theair supply block 300 in such a way as to communicate with them so thatthe introduced outside air is drained to the first heat exchange block500 and the air supply block 300.

A third air damper 210 is disposed in an opening in a boundary or wallbetween the outside air block 200 and the first heat exchange block 500,and enables the outside air block 200 and the first heat exchange block500 to communicate with each other. Outside air introduced from theoutside to the outside air block 200 is selectively drained from theoutside air block 200 into the first heat exchange block 500 by theselective opening and closing of the third air damper 210.

Furthermore, a fourth air damper 220 is disposed in an opening in aboundary or wall between the outside air block 200 and the air supplyblock 300, and enables the outside air block 200 and the air supplyblock 300 to communicate with each other. Outside air introduced fromthe outside to the outside air block 200 is selectively drained from theoutside air block 200 into the air supply block 300 by the selectiveopening and closing of the fourth air damper 220.

A first air filter 222 is disposed in the outside air damper 205, and asecond air filter 221 is disposed in the fourth air damper 220. Thefirst air filter 222 removes alien substances (e.g., dust) included inoutside air introduced from the outside air block 200 to the second heatexchange block 600 by filtering the alien substances. The second airfilter 221 secondarily filters the air primarily filtered by the firstair filter 222, and forwards the filtered air to the air supply block300.

The first air filter 222 disposed in the outside air damper 205 performsa pre-filter function, and the second air filter 221 performs a mediumfilter function.

Furthermore, a first temperature/humidity sensor 201 is disposed in anopening in the outside wall of the outside air block 200, and measuresthe temperature and the humidity of outside air introduced from theoutside of the air-conditioning apparatus 10 into the outside air block200. A first temperature sensor 202 is disposed inside the first heatexchange block 500, close to and downstream of the third air damper 210,and measures the temperature of outside air drained into the first heatexchange block 500 through the third air damper 210.

The air supply block 300 provides a passage through which supply airsupplied indoors flows. One side of the air supply block 300 isconnected to the second heat exchange block 600 and the outside airblock 200 in such a way as to communicate with them, so the supply airchanged from the ventilation air through the second heat exchange block600 can be introduced into the air supply block 300 and/or outside airis directly introduced through the outside air block 200. The other sideof the air supply block 300 is connected to the structure to be cooledin such a way as to communicate with the inside of the structure, so thesupply air introduced from the second heat exchange block 600 and/or theoutside air can be guided and supplied indoors (inside of the structureto be cooled).

A first ventilation unit 310, such as a ventilation fan, is providedwithin the air supply block 300 for moving supply air through the airsupply block 300. The driving and rotation speed of the firstventilation unit 310 are selectively controlled to adjust the air volumeof supply air supplied indoors from the air supply block 300. Ahumidifier 320 is provided at the front end of the air supply block 300so that the supply air drained from the second heat exchange block 600to the air supply block 300 is selectively humidified.

Furthermore, a first air volume measurement sensor 301 is providedwithin the air supply block 300, near the front end. The first airvolume measurement sensor 301 measures an air volume within the airsupply block 300.

Furthermore, a second temperature/humidity sensor 302 is provided withinthe air supply block 300. The second temperature/humidity sensor 302measures the temperature and the humidity of the supply air through thefirst ventilation unit 310. A second temperature sensor 303 is providedin the second heat exchange block 600 at the back (downstream) of theheat pipe 700, and measures temperature of air that passed through theheat pipe.

The air exhaust block 400 provides a passage through which exhaust airdischarged from inside the air-conditioning apparatus 10 to the outsideflows. One side of the air exhaust block 400 is connected to theventilation block 100 and the first heat exchange block 500 in such away as to communicate with them, so that the exhaust air from theventilation block 100 and the first heat exchange block 500 isintroduced into the air exhaust block 400. The other side of the airexhaust block 400 is connected to the outside in such a way as tocommunicate with the outside, so that the exhaust air introduced fromthe ventilation block 100 and the first heat exchange block 500 isguided and discharged to the outside.

The air exhaust block 400 also includes a second ventilation unit 410,such as an exhaust fan, provided in the air exhaust block 400 for movingventilation air and/or outside air through the exhaust block 400. Thedriving and rotation speed of the second ventilation unit 410 areselectively controlled to adjust the air volume of exhaust airdischarged from the air exhaust block 400 to the outside.

Furthermore, a second air volume measurement sensor 401 is providedwithin the air exhaust block 400. The second air volume measurementsensor 401 measures air volume within the air exhaust block 400.

Furthermore, a third temperature/humidity sensor 402 is provided at theback (downstream) of the second ventilation unit 410. The thirdtemperature/humidity sensor 402 measures the temperature and thehumidity of the exhaust air passing through the second ventilation unit410.

The first heat exchange block 500 and the second heat exchange block 600of the air-conditioning apparatus 10 using a heat pipe according to anembodiment of the present invention are disposed in a stack form andshare a heat pipe 700. The first heat exchange block 500 contains theupper side of the heat pipe 700, the second heat exchange block 600contains the lower side of the heat pipe 700, and the heat pipe 700 isdisposed in a form that is upright at the center of the first heatexchange block 500 and the second heat exchange block 600 in an up anddown stacked form.

The heat pipe 700 enables the consecutive absorption (cooling) anddischarge (heating) process of heat without a separate power sourcebecause a heating medium (e.g., operating fluid) can flow due to apressure difference between the evaporation unit and the condensationunit in a phase change process, such as the evaporation and condensationof the operating fluid.

The first heat exchange block 500 containing the upper side of the heatpipe 700 includes the condensation unit (the upper end) of the heat pipe700. One side of the first heat exchange block 500 to which outside airis introduced is connected to the outside air block 200, and theopposite side is connected to the ventilation block 100 and the airexhaust block 400.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the heat pipe 700 has beenillustrated as including the condensation unit within the first heatexchange block 500, but the present invention is not limited thereto.For example, the heat pipe 700 may include an evaporation unit withinthe first heat exchange block 500.

The first heat exchange block 500 selectively guides ventilation airthrough the ventilation block 100 and outside air (or exhaust air)through the heat pipe 700 from the outside air block 200, into the airexhaust block 400 so that the ventilation air or the outside air flowsthrough the air exhaust block 400.

A third temperature sensor 501 is disposed in the first heat exchangeblock 500 near and downstream of the condensation unit (the upper end)of the heat pipe 700, and measures temperature of the outside air thathas passed through the heat pipe 700.

Furthermore, a mist spray nozzle 510 is provided at the front of thefirst heat exchange block 500 connected to the outside air block 200.The mist spray nozzle 510 selectively sprays mist to the outside airintroduced through the outside air block 200 so that the outside air iscooled by the evaporation latent heat phenomenon of the mist.

Furthermore, the second heat exchange block 600 containing the lowerside of the heat pipe 700 includes the lower piece of the heat pipe 700.One side of the second heat exchange block 600 into which ventilationair is introduced is connected to the ventilation block 100, and theopposite side is connected to the outside air block 200 and the airsupply block 300.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the heat pipe 700 has beenillustrated as including the evaporation unit within the second heatexchange block 600, but the present invention is not limited thereto.For example, the heat pipe 700 may include a condensation unit withinthe second heat exchange block 600.

The second heat exchange block 600 selectively changes ventilation airthrough the heat pipe 700 from the ventilation block 100 or outside airthrough the outside air block 200 into supply air, and guides thechanged supply air so that it flows into the air supply block 300.

Moreover, the second heat exchange block 600 selectively enablesventilation air and outside air to be introduced thereto from theventilation block 100 and the outside air block 200, respectively, atthe same time. The second heat exchange block 600 mixes the ventilationair and the outside air, changes the mixed air into supply air, andguides the changed supply air so that it flows into the air supply block300.

Furthermore, a fourth temperature sensor 601 is disposed near theevaporation unit of the heat pipe 700 (the lower end) within the secondheat exchange block 600, and measures the temperature of the ventilationair before it passes through the heat pipe 700.

Furthermore, a cooling coil 610 is provided at the back of theevaporation unit (the lower end) of the heat pipe 700 of the second heatexchange block 600. The cooling coil 610 selectively cools theventilation air (or supply air) that has passed through the heat pipe700.

A third air filter 620 is provided at the front of the evaporation unit(the lower end) of the heat pipe 700 within the second heat exchangeblock 600, and removes alien substances (e.g., dust) introduced throughthe ventilation block 100 and included in the ventilation air that flowsinto the second heat exchange block 600 by filtering the aliensubstances.

The air-conditioning apparatus 10 using the heat pipe 700 according toan embodiment of the present invention compares the state of the outsideair according to the season of the year with the state of a set supplyair, controls the supply air in the set state by a change in the flow ofventilation air and outside air through the air-conditioning apparatus10 by the selective opening/shutting of the dampers, by the cooling ofthe outside air through latent heat by spraying mist, and by the coolingand humidification of the supply air, and provides the controlled supplyair. Embodiments of such operations are described below.

The air-conditioning apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of thepresent invention operates in any one of a ventilation air operationmode in which only the ventilation air is selectively changed intosupply air depending on the state of the outside air or the state of theventilation air and the supply air, and the supply air is suppliedindoors, a mixed operation mode in which the ventilation air and theoutside air are mixed, changed into supply air and supplied indoors, anda full outside air operation mode in which only the outside air ischanged into supply air and supplied indoors.

The operation modes are described in more detail. Referring to FIG. 2,the ventilation air operation mode is an air-conditioning operation modein which only the ventilation air circulates and supplied indoors. Theventilation block 100 opens the second air damper 130 so that theventilation air flows from indoors to the second heat exchange block 600along the ventilation block 100. At this time, the first air damper 120of the ventilation block 100 is closed, so the entire ventilation airintroduced from indoors to the ventilation block 100 flows into thesecond heat exchange block 600.

Furthermore, the outside air block 200 closes the fourth air damper 220and opens the third air damper 210, so the outside air flows from theoutside to the first heat exchange block 500 along the outside air block200.

At this time, before the outside air passes through the first heatexchange block 500, it is cooled by the evaporation latent heatphenomenon of mist sprayed by the mist spray nozzle 510 and passesthrough the first heat exchange block 500.

In this case, the ventilation air through the second heat exchange block600 and the outside air through the first heat exchange block 500 areindirectly heat-exchanged by the heat pipe 700 while passing through theheat pipe 700. The ventilation air through the second heat exchangeblock 600 passes through the evaporation unit (the lower end) of theheat pipe 700. The outside air through the first heat exchange block 500passes through the condensation unit (the upper end) of the heat pipe700. The ventilation air through the evaporation unit (the lower end) ofthe heat pipe 700 is cooled by the evaporation unit through the heatpipe 700 because the heat of the ventilation air is deprived by theevaporation of the operating fluid and is changed into supply air. Thechanged supply air is supplied indoors from the second heat exchangeblock 600 through the air supply block 300.

At this time, the ventilation air through the evaporation unit (thelower end) of the heat pipe 700 passes through the cooling coil 610. Thecooling coil 610 may selectively operate depending on the results of acomparison of the set supply air temperature with the actual temperatureof the ventilation air measured by the second temperature sensor 303after the ventilation air passes through the heat pipe 700, and furthercool the ventilation air, if required. The humidifier 320 may alsoselectively operate depending on the results of a comparison of the setsupply air humidity with the actual humidity of the supply air in theair supply block 300 measured by the second temperature/humidity sensor302, and humidify the ventilation air, if required.

Furthermore, the exhaust air changed from the outside air by thecondensation unit (the upper end) of the heat pipe 700 from the firstheat exchange block 500 flows into the air exhaust block 400 and isdischarged to the outside along the air exhaust block 400.

The ventilation air operation mode drives the mist spray nozzle 510 andthe cooling coil 610 depending on the set or predetermined temperatureof the supply air in comparison with the outside air and/or theventilation air.

Referring to, FIG. 3, the mixed operation mode is an air-conditioningoperation mode in which ventilation air and outside air are mixed,changed into supply air, and supplied indoors. The ventilation block 100is open and the first air damper 120 and the second air damper 130 areopen, so the ventilation air flows from indoors to the second heatexchange block 600 and the air exhaust block 400 along the ventilationblock 100. At this time, the degree of opening of the first air damper120 and the second air damper 130 is controlled depending on an outsideair temperature.

Furthermore, in the outside air block 200, the fourth air damper 220 isopen, so the outside air flows from the outside to the air supply block300 through the outside air block. At this time, the degree of openingof the fourth air damper 220 is controlled depending on the state of theoutside air. The outside air flowing into the air supply block 300passes through the fourth air damper 220, and the outside air is mixedwith the ventilation air flowing out of the second heat exchange block600 and supplied indoors through the air supply block 300.

Furthermore, the exhaust air changed from the outside air drained fromthe first heat exchange block 500, if any, also flows into the airexhaust block 400 and is discharged to the outside along the air exhaustblock 400.

In the mixed operation mode, the mist spray nozzle 510 is driven and thecooling coil 610 is not driven so that the outside air is cooled whenoutside air wet-bulb temperature<set temperature.

Referring to FIG. 4, the full outside air operation mode is anair-conditioning operation mode in which only the outside air is changedinto supply air and the changed supply air is supplied indoors. In theventilation block 100, the first air damper 120 is open and the secondair damper 130 is closed. Accordingly, the ventilation air flows fromindoors to the air exhaust block 400 though the ventilation block 100,and the ventilation air that flowed into the air exhaust block 400 ischanged into exhaust air and then discharged to the outside through theair exhaust block 400.

Furthermore, in the outside air block 200, the third air damper 210 isclosed and the fourth air damper 220 is open, so the outside air flowsfrom the outside to the air supply block 300 through the outside airblock 200.

At this time, the outside air that flowed into the air supply block 300is changed into supply air, and the changed supply air is suppliedindoors through the air supply block 300.

The full outside air operation mode is a pre-cooling mode using theoutside air. In this mode, the mist spray nozzle 510 and the coolingcoil 610 are not driven.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, an air-conditioning apparatus 20 using a heatpipe according to another embodiment of the present invention includesthe ventilation block 100, the outside air block 200, the air supplyblock 300, the air exhaust block 400, the first heat exchange block 500,and the second heat exchange block 600. In the present invention, oneside and the other side or the front and the back indicative ofdirections are described based on the direction in which a fluid moves.The direction in which a fluid is introduced is one side or the frontand the direction in which a fluid is drained (or discharged) is theother side or the back.

First, referring to FIGS. 5 to 8, the ventilation block 100 provides apassage through which the ventilation air introduced from indoors flowsfrom one side to the other side of the ventilation block 100. Theventilation block 100 includes a pair of ventilation air inlets 101,102, one each on the left and right sides of the air supply block 300disposed at the center of the air-conditioning apparatus 20. One side ofthe ventilation block 100 having the ventilation air inlets 101, 102 isconnected to the structure to be cooled in such a way as to communicatewith the inside of the structure so that the ventilation air isintroduced into the ventilation block 100 through the ventilation airinlets 101, 102. The other side of the ventilation block 100 isconnected to the second heat exchange block 600 and the air exhaustblock 400 in such a way as to communicate with them so that theventilation air is drained to the second heat exchange block 600 and theair exhaust block 400.

The ventilation block 100 is equipped with a plurality of air dampersthat controls the flow of the ventilation air. The first air damper 120is disposed in an opening in a boundary or wall between the ventilationblock 100 and the air exhaust block 400, and enables the ventilationblock 100 and the air exhaust block 400 to communicate with each other.The ventilation air introduced from indoors to the ventilation block 100is selectively drained to the ventilation block 100 and the air exhaustblock 400 directly by the selective opening and closing of the first airdamper 120.

Furthermore, a second air damper 130 is disposed on a boundary or wallbetween the ventilation block 100 and the second heat exchange block600, and enable the ventilation block 100 and the second heat exchangeblock 600 to communicate with each other. The ventilation air introducedfrom indoors to the ventilation block 100 is selectively drained to theventilation block 100 and the second heat exchange block 600 by theselective opening and closing of the second air damper 130.

Furthermore, the ventilation block 100 includes the first ventilationunit 310 and the first air volume measurement sensor 301 for measuringthe air volume within the ventilation block 100. The driving androtation speed of the first ventilation unit 310 are selectivelycontrolled based on the measurements from the first air volumemeasurement sensor 301, so the volume of supply air provided indoorsfrom the ventilation block 100 is controlled. The first air volumemeasurement sensor 301 measures the air volume within the ventilationblock 100.

Moreover, the outside air block 200 provides a passage through which theoutside air introduced from the outside through the outside air damper205 flows from one side to the other side of the outside air block 200.One side of the outside air block 200 is connected to the outside airdamper 205 in such a way as to communicate with the outside air damperso that the outside air is introduced into the outside air block 200.The other side of the outside air block 200 is connected to the firstheat exchange block 500 and the air supply block 300 in such a way as tocommunicate with them so that the outside air is drained to the firstheat exchange block 500 and the air supply block 300.

The second ventilation unit 410 is provided within the outside air block200. The driving and rotation speed of the second ventilation unit 410are selectively controlled, so the volume of outside air discharged fromthe outside air block 400 is controlled.

Furthermore, a fourth air damper 220 is disposed in an opening in aboundary or wall between the outside air block 200 and the air supplyblock 300, and enables the outside air block 200 and the air supplyblock 300 to communicate with each other. The outside air introducedfrom the outside to the outside air block 200 is selectively drainedfrom the outside air block 200 to the air supply block 300 by theselective opening and closing of the fourth air damper 220.

Furthermore, a first air filter 222 is disposed in the outside airdamper, and a second air filter 221 is disposed in the fourth air damper220. The first air filter 222 removes alien substances (e.g., dust)included in outside air introduced from the outside air block 200 to thefirst heat exchange block 500 by filtering the alien substances. Thesecond air filter 221 secondarily filters the air primarily filtered bythe first air filter 222, and forwards the filtered air to the airsupply block 300.

In this case, the first air filter 222 disposed in the outside airdamper performs a pre-filter function, and the second air filter 221performs a medium filter function.

Furthermore, the first temperature/humidity sensor 201 is disposed in anopening in the outside wall of the outside air block 200, and measuresthe temperature and humidity of the outside air introduced from theoutside into the outside air block 200.

The air supply block 300 provides a passage through which supply airsupplied indoors flows. One side of the air supply block 300 isconnected to the second heat exchange block 600 and the outside airblock 200 in such a way as to communicate with them. The passage extendsalong the lower side of the air-conditioning apparatus 20. A supply airexit 301 from which the supply air is discharged is disposed between thepair of ventilation air inlets 101, 102 of the ventilation block 100.Accordingly, the supply air changed from ventilation air through thesecond heat exchange block 600 enters the air supply block 300 (See FIG.6) or outside air is directly introduced through the outside air block200 (See FIG. 7). The supply air exit 301 of the air supply block 300 isconnected to the structure to be cooled in such a way as to communicatewith the inside (indoors) of the structure, and guides the supply airintroduced from the second heat exchange block 600 and the outside airblock 200 indoors.

Furthermore, the air exhaust block 400 provides a passage through whichthe exhaust air discharged to the outside flows. One side of the airexhaust block 400 is connected to the ventilation block 100 and thefirst heat exchange block 500 in such a way as to communicate with them,so that the exhaust air passing through the ventilation block 100 andthe first heat exchange block 500 enters the air exhaust block 400. Theother side of the air exhaust block 400 is connected to the outside insuch a way as to communicate with the outside, so that the exhaust airintroduced from the ventilation block 100 and the first heat exchangeblock 500 is guided out to the outside and discharged.

The first heat exchange block 500 and the second heat exchange block 600of the air-conditioning apparatus 20 are disposed in a stack form andshare the heat pipe 700. The first heat exchange block 500 contains theupper side of the heat pipe 700, the second heat exchange block 600contains the lower side of the heat pipe 700, and the heat pipe 700 isdisposed in a form that is upright at the center of the first heatexchange block 500 and the second heat exchange block 600 of the up anddown stacked form.

In this case, the heat pipe 700 enables the consecutive absorption(cooling) and discharge (heating) process of heat without a separatepower source because the heating medium (e.g., operating fluid) can flowdue to the pressure difference between the evaporation unit and thecondensation unit in a phase change process, such as the evaporation andcondensation of the operating fluid.

The first heat exchange block 500 containing the upper side of the heatpipe 700 includes the condensation unit (the upper end) of the heat pipe700. One side of the first heat exchange block 500 into which theoutside air is introduced is connected to the outside air block 200, andthe opposite side is connected to the ventilation block 100 and the airexhaust block 400.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the heat pipe 700 has beenillustrated as including the condensation unit provided within the firstheat exchange block 500, but the present invention is not limitedthereto. For example, the heat pipe 700 may include an evaporation unitprovided within the first heat exchange block 500.

The first heat exchange block 500 includes a third air damper 210 in anopening in a boundary or wall between the first exchange block 500 andthe outside air block 200. The third air damper 210 enables the firstexchange block 500 and the outside air block 200 to communicate witheach other. The outside air introduced from the outside to the outsideair block 200 is selectively drained from the outside air block 200 tothe first heat exchange block 500 by the selective opening and closingof the third air damper 210. The first temperature sensor 202 isdisposed inside the first heat exchange block 500 close to the third airdamper 210, and measures the temperature of the outside air drained tothe first heat exchange block 500 through the third air damper 210.

Accordingly, the first heat exchange block 500 selectively guides theoutside air through the heat pipe 700 so that the outside air flows fromthe outside air block 200 to the air exhaust block 400 as exhaust air.

The third temperature sensor 501 is disposed in the air exhaust block400, and measures temperature of the outside air that has passed throughthe heat pipe 700, i.e, the exhaust air.

Furthermore, the mist spray nozzle 510 is provided at the front of thefirst heat exchange block 500 connected to the outside air block 200.The mist spray nozzle 510 selectively sprays mist to the outside airintroduced through the outside air block 200 so that the outside air iscooled by the evaporation latent heat phenomenon of the mist.

Furthermore, the second heat exchange block 600 disposed on the lowerside of the heat pipe 700 includes the lower piece of the heat pipe 700.One side of the second heat exchange block 600 into which theventilation air is introduced is connected to the ventilation block 100,and the opposite side is connected to the outside air block 200 and theair supply block 300.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the heat pipe 700 has beenillustrated as including the evaporation unit within the second heatexchange block 600, but the present invention is not limited thereto.For example, the heat pipe 700 may include a condensation unit withinthe second heat exchange block 600.

The second heat exchange block 600 selectively changes ventilation airthrough the heat pipe 700 from the ventilation block 100 into supplyair, and guides the changed supply air so that it flows into the airsupply block 300.

Furthermore, the cooling coil 610 is provided at the back (downstream)of the evaporation unit (the lower end) of the heat pipe 700. Thecooling coil 610 selectively cools the ventilation air passing throughthe heat pipe 700.

In this case, the third air filter 620 is provided at the front(upstream) of the evaporation unit (the lower end) of the heat pipe 700provided within the second heat exchange block 600. The third air filterremoves alien substances (e.g., dust) included in ventilation airintroduced through the ventilation block 100 and flowing through thesecond heat exchange block 600 by filtering the alien substances.

Furthermore, the humidifier 320 is provided at the back (downstream) ofthe cooling coil 610, and selectively humidifies the supply air drainedfrom the second heat exchange block 600 to the air supply block 300.

FIG. 6 shows a flow of air-conditioning in a heat pipe (heat exchange)operation mode. Ventilation air that becomes hot indoors flows into theventilation block 100, and it is cooled through contact with theevaporation unit (the lower end) of the heat pipe 700 while passingthrough the second heat exchange block 600. Accordingly, the ventilationair is changed into supply air and then supplied indoors again throughthe air supply block 300.

In this case, outside air enters the outside air block 200, and takesthe heat of the operating fluid through contact with the condensationunit (the upper end) of the heat pipe 700 while passing through thefirst heat exchange block 500. Accordingly, the outside air is heated,changed into exhaust air, and discharged to the outside through the airexhaust block 400.

In this case, the heat pipe 700 enables the heating medium (operatingfluid) to move due to a pressure difference between the evaporation unitand the condensation unit in a phase change process, such as theevaporation and condensation of the operating fluid. Accordingly, theabsorption (cooling) and discharge (heating) process of heat isconsecutively performed without a separate power source.

FIG. 7 shows a flow of air-conditioning in a full outside air operationmode according to another embodiment of the present invention.Ventilation air that becomes hot indoors enters the ventilation block100. The hot ventilation air is directly discharged to the outsidethrough the air exhaust block 400 because the second air damper 130 isclosed and the first air damper 120 is open. The outside air enters theoutside air block 200, and it is supplied indoors through the air supplyblock 300 without passing through the first heat exchange block 500because the third air damper 210 is closed and the fourth air damper 220is open.

FIG. 8 shows a flow of air-conditioning in a mixing operation modeaccording to another embodiment of the present invention. Since all ofthe air dampers included in the air-conditioning apparatus 20 using theheat pipe 700 are open, ventilation air that becomes hot indoors entersthe ventilation block 100. The hot ventilation air is cooled throughcontact with the evaporation unit (the lower end) of the heat pipe 700while passing through the second heat exchange block 600, changed intosupply air and supplied indoors again through the air supply block 300.

At this time, some of the ventilation air is directly discharged to theoutside through the air exhaust block 400 because the first air damper120 is open.

Furthermore, the outside air enters the outside air block 200. Theoutside air takes the heat of the operating fluid through contact withthe condensation unit (the upper end) of the heat pipe 700 while passingthrough the first heat exchange block 500, and it is heated, changedinto exhaust air, and then discharged to the outside through the airexhaust block 400.

At this time, some of the outside air enters the air supply block 300without passing through the first heat exchange block 500 because thefourth air damper 220 is open. The outside air is mixed with the supplyair, changed from ventilation air and cooled through contact with theevaporation unit (the lower end) of the heat pipe 700, at acorresponding ratio and is then supplied indoors through the air supplyblock 300.

Accordingly, if it is difficult to directly introduce the outside airdepending on an environment condition of the outside air, energy can bereduced through indirect heat exchange. If outside air can be directlyintroduced, a very effective solution according to an environment can beobtained through direct introduction (pre-cooling).

The air-conditioning apparatus using a heat pipe according to theembodiments of the present invention has the following effects.

First, outside air can be used as cooling energy through heat exchangeusing a heat pipe, and upon the heat exchange of the heat pipe, anadditional cooling effect can be obtained through evaporation andcooling of the outside air by performing mist spray on the outside air.

Second, the energy necessary for an air-conditioning apparatus operationcan be reduced by supplying outside air as supply air and dischargingventilation air in the (pre-cooling) condition in which the outside aircan be directly used as supply air, and the supply air may selectivelypass through the cooling coil or the humidity of the supply air can becontrolled.

Third, the energy for the air-conditioning apparatus can be reducedbecause the heat exchange and mixed supply of the outside air andventilation air can be effectively performed, and energy efficiency canbe improved using the evaporation latent heat of water.

Fourth, the operation costs can be reduced and financial gains can beobtained because an efficient operation can be performed in response tothe state (e.g., temperature, humidity or wet-bulb temperature) of themeasured outside air.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with theembodiments illustrated in the drawings, the embodiments are onlyillustrative. Those skilled in the art to which the present inventionpertains may understand that various other modifications and equivalentembodiments are possible. Accordingly, the true range of protection ofthe present invention should be determined by the technological spiritof the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An air-conditioning apparatus using a heat pipe,comprising: a ventilation block providing a passage through whichventilation air (RA) introduced from indoors flows; an air exhaust blockhaving one end connected to the ventilation block and providing apassage through which exhaust air (EA) discharged to an outside flows;an air supply block providing a passage through which supply air (SA)supplied indoors flows; an outside air block having one end connected tothe air supply block and providing a passage through which outside air(OA) introduced from the outside flows; a first heat exchange blockcomprising a condensation unit of a heat pipe, connected to the outsideair block and the air exhaust block, changing outside air introducedthrough the outside air block into exhaust air through the heat pipe,and discharging the changed exhaust air to the air exhaust block; and asecond heat exchange block comprising an evaporation unit of the heatpipe, connected to the ventilation block and the air supply block,changing ventilation air introduced through the ventilation block intosupply air through the heat pipe, and discharging the changed supply airto the air supply block, wherein the second heat exchange blockselectively discharges the ventilation air introduced through theventilation block into the air supply block, mixes the ventilation airand the outside air, changes the mixed ventilation air and outside airinto supply air, and supplies the supply air.
 2. An air-conditioningapparatus using a heat pipe, comprising: an air supply block providing apassage through which supply air (SA) supplied indoors flows; aventilation block having a pair of ventilation air inlets disposed onleft and right sides of the air supply block, respectively, andproviding a passage through which ventilation air (RA) introduced fromindoors flows; an air exhaust block disposed on one side of theventilation bloc and providing a passage through which an exhaust air(EA) discharged to an outside flows; an outside air block disposed on aside opposite the air supply block and providing a passage through whichoutside air (OA) introduced from the outside flows; a first heatexchange block comprising a condensation unit of a heat pipe, connectedto the outside air block and the air exhaust block, changing outside airintroduced through the outside air block into an exhaust through theheat pipe, and discharging the changed exhaust air to the air exhaustblock; and a second heat exchange block comprising an evaporation unitof the heat pipe, connected to the ventilation block and the air supplyblock, changing ventilation air introduced through the ventilation blockinto supply air through the heat pipe, and discharging the changedsupply air to the air supply block, wherein the second heat exchangeblock selectively discharges the ventilation air introduced through theventilation block into the air supply block, mixes the ventilation airand the outside air, changes the mixed ventilation air and outside airinto supply air, and supplies the supply air.
 3. The air-conditioningapparatus of claim 1, wherein the air-conditioning apparatus operates inany one of a ventilation air operation mode in which only ventilationair is selectively changed into supply air depending on a state ofoutside air or a state of ventilation air and the supply air and thechanged supply air is supplied indoors, a mixed operation mode in whichventilation air and outside air are mixed, changed into supply air andsupplied indoors, and a full outside air operation mode in which onlyoutside air is changed into supply air and supplied indoors.
 4. Theair-conditioning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ventilation blockcomprises: a first air damper disposed in a boundary between theventilation block and the air exhaust block and selectively opened andshut to discharge ventilation air flowing into the ventilation block tothe air exhaust block; and a second air damper disposed in theventilation block and selectively opened and shut to dischargeventilation air flowing into the ventilation block to the second heatexchange block.
 5. The air-conditioning apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe outside air block comprises: a first air filter disposed in anoutside air damper disposed in an opening through which outside air isintroduced to remove alien substances included in the outside air; athird air damper disposed in a boundary between the outside air blockand the first heat exchange block and selectively opened and shut todischarge outside air flowing into the outside air block to the firstheat exchange block; a fourth air damper disposed in a boundary betweenthe outside air block and the air supply block and selectively openedand shut to discharge outside air flowing into the outside air block tothe air supply block; a second air filter disposed in the fourth airdamper to remove alien substances included in the outside air passingthrough the fourth air damper; a first temperature/humidity sensordisposed in an opening through which outside air is introduced from theoutside to measure a temperature and humidity of the outside airintroduced through the opening from the outside; and a first temperaturesensor disposed close to the third air damper to measure a temperatureof the outside air after the outside air passes through the third airdamper.
 6. The air-conditioning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the airsupply block comprises: a first air volume measurement sensor disposedwithin the air supply block to measure an air volume within the airsupply block; a first ventilation unit disposed within the air supplyblock to selectively control an air volume of supply air; a secondtemperature/humidity sensor disposed within the air supply block tomeasure a temperature and humidity of the supply air through the firstventilation unit; and a second temperature sensor disposed at a back ofthe first ventilation unit to measure a temperature of a heat pipe exit.7. The air-conditioning apparatus of claim 6, further comprising ahumidifier disposed at a front of the first ventilation unit of the airsupply block to selectively humidify supply air flowing into the airsupply block depending on a setting state so that the supply air ishumidified.
 8. The air-conditioning apparatus of claim 1, wherein theair exhaust block comprises: a second air volume measurement sensordisposed within the air exhaust block to measure an air volume withinthe air exhaust block; a second ventilation unit disposed within the airexhaust block to selectively control an air volume of an exhaust air;and a third temperature/humidity sensor disposed within the air exhaustblock to measure a temperature and humidity of the exhaust air throughthe second ventilation unit.
 9. The air-conditioning apparatus of claim1, further comprising: a third temperature sensor disposed near thecondensation unit of the heat pipe of the first heat exchange block tomeasure a temperature of outside air through the heat pipe; and a mistspray nozzle disposed at a front of the first heat exchange blockconnected to the outside air block to selectively spray mist to outsideair through the outside air block depending on a set temperature. 10.The air-conditioning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second heatexchange block comprises: a fourth temperature sensor disposed near theevaporation unit of the heat pipe within the second heat exchange blockto measure a temperature of ventilation air before the ventilation airpasses through the heat pipe; a cooling coil disposed at a back of theevaporation unit of the heat pipe within the second heat exchange blockto selectively cool ventilation air through the heat pipe; and a thirdair filter disposed at a front of the evaporation unit of the heat pipeto filter alien substances included in ventilation air passing throughthe heat pipe.
 11. The air-conditioning apparatus of claim 2, whereinthe ventilation block comprises: a first air damper disposed in aboundary between the ventilation block and the air exhaust block, andselectively opened and shut to discharge ventilation air flowing intothe ventilation block to the air exhaust block; a second air damperdisposed in the ventilation block and selectively opened and shut todischarge the ventilation air flowing into the ventilation block to thesecond heat exchange block; a first air volume measurement sensordisposed within the ventilation block to measure an air volume withinthe ventilation block; and a first ventilation unit disposed within theventilation block to selectively control an air volume within theventilation block.
 12. The air-conditioning apparatus of claim 2,wherein the outside air block comprises: a first air filter disposed inan outside air damper disposed in an opening through which outside airis introduced to remove alien substances included in the outside air; asecond ventilation unit disposed within the outside air block toselectively control an air volume of an exhaust air; a fourth air damperdisposed in a boundary between the outside air block and the air supplyblock, and selectively opened and shut to discharge outside air flowinginto the outside air block to the air supply block; a second air filterdisposed in the fourth air damper to remove alien substances included inthe outside air through the fourth air damper; and a firsttemperature/humidity sensor disposed in an opening through which outsideair is introduced from the outside to measure a temperature and humidityof the outside air introduced through the opening from the outside. 13.The air-conditioning apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first heatexchange block comprises: a third air damper disposed in a boundarybetween the outside air block and the first heat exchange block andselectively opened and shut to discharge outside air flowing into theoutside air block to the first heat exchange block; and a firsttemperature sensor disposed close to the third air damper to measure atemperature of outside air after the outside air passes through thethird air damper.
 14. The air-conditioning apparatus of claim 2, whereinthe second heat exchange block comprises: a third air filter disposed ata front of the evaporation unit of the heat pipe to filter aliensubstances included in ventilation air passing through the heat pipe; acooling coil disposed at a back of the evaporation unit of the heat pipeto selectively cool the ventilation air through the heat pipe; and ahumidifier disposed at a back of the cooling coil to selectivelyhumidify the ventilation air drained to the air supply block dependingon a setting state.
 15. The air-conditioning apparatus of claim 2,wherein the air-conditioning apparatus operates in any one of aventilation air operation mode in which only ventilation air isselectively changed into supply air depending on a state of outside airor a state of ventilation air and the supply air and the changed supplyair is supplied indoors, a mixed operation mode in which ventilation airand outside air are mixed, changed into supply air and supplied indoors,and a full outside air operation mode in which only outside air ischanged into supply air and supplied indoors.